Well I got this game. Waited for it to load 5 CD's, then waited for it to do whatever it does with this steam thingy. Took a couple of hours to get the game ready to go. I checked with VU and determined that to insure that I was playing off line I was to go to the steam/play games/Half Life2 and right click and then open properties. Check the off line stuff and finally after all that time good to go.

Then, because of the slow loading, I used MSconfig and used selective startup to disable all the startup stuff on my computer.

It still takes a while to load scenes but I guess that is normal.

There is no manual only a reference card. Maybe that's all you need to know but I feel more comfortable with a manual.

There doesn't appear to be a map in the game. Most games I've played have an option to view a map so you can tell where you are. I miss that. I really miss that.

If anyone knows a site that has maps for this game I would really appreciate the info.

I've made it to the part where you drive this boat around and just passed the pillars that fall down in front of you and don't know how I got there I just keep going by trial and error and use god mode when I get in too deep.

It's better than Doom 3 (which I did not finish) but it's not a "game of the year" for me but then again I'm not a teenage twitchy finger person.

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You laugh because I'm differentI laugh because you're all the same

Oldman, there is no need for a map in this game. It is extremely linear, there's only one way to go, althought it may appear otherwise. Several times you will come to what appears to be a dead end because they've thrown a puzzle in your way, usually having to do with physics.

You are right Craig. I've made it this far just going in whatever direction I could until I came to another area and when the game loads then I know I've reached it. I just miss my map in games. I'm used to hitting the 'M' key and seeing where I am and where I have yet to go.

Also I didn't mean to belittle those who are good at twitchy finger stuff it's just that I'm not. My oldest son is 40+ and has been good at arcade stuff all his life but my reflexes are such that without god mode I couldn't play these games. But I enjoy them anyway as a change.

Anyway, guess I'll just suffer through without a map. Have gotten to Ravenholm and facing a lot of Zombies with heads flying off and attacking me. wow!!!

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You laugh because I'm differentI laugh because you're all the same

Ravenholm! Man, that was tough and spooky! I particularly liked slicing zombies heads off with the G-gun and sawblades! A bit odd that there are sawblades and barrels of flamable liquids lying around everywhere, don't you think?

Best of luck! At least the zombies don't move too quick (at least most of them). If you want a game that doesn't require quick reflexes, you might look at the Thief or Splinter Cell series. More sneakers than shooters but with some action elements.

When I click on halflife 2 steam says I'm not ready to run in offline mode. I have to connected to the internet to start the game. Once started I can stop the game and disconect from the internet.Now I can play the game without going on line, but if I shut down my comp. and start it up again I can't run half life 2 until I connect to the internet again. I don't understand why I have to be connected to the internet to start the game. Thanks,Richard

Well I finished it and my initial instinct was: That's it? I suppose that G-man means something to Half Life fans but it left me cold.

That Steam thing from VU has me steamed! I managed to play off line and even unplugged my DSL modem to make sure that I was off line. Those with internal modems will probably have a more difficult time.

A manual would have been nice to explain things like that amoung other things so a player wouldn't have to go to their site to answer these and other such questions.

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You laugh because I'm differentI laugh because you're all the same

Oldman, the G man only really means anything by reference to the original game. I really enjoyed the game but agree about the ending: I understand that this was deliberate to make way for a third instalment.

Although the graphics are now a bit dated, if you enjoyed HL2 you should probably try HL1.

One of the things I liked about both games was the lack of maps: all the time you have to figure out where/what next and it is (almost) always possible to work it out from what you have on screen.

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Life is what happens while you're making other plans.

Craig, as another retarded 50+ I am interested to know what other games do it for you. Although I toyed with Doom and Quake, I have not found anything as satisfying to my tastes as Half Life and some of the Prince of Persia series.

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Life is what happens while you're making other plans.